This weekend, more than 100,000 classic car and historic motor racing enthusiasts will help the Silverstone Classic to celebrate its 25th birthday, or Silver Jubilee, whichever you prefer. That’s quite a milestone, but the event has really become a real highlight on the historic motor sport calendar and so it is fitting that this year is a bumper year.
In 2014, a whopping 1125 race entries were received for the three-day event, and this year the Silverstone Classic organisers expect to top that figure. They are keen to promote the fact that not only is this event the biggest historic race meeting anywhere on the planet, but it is also the world’s biggest annual motor racing event of any genre.
Right from the outset, it was planned that the motor sport festival would be more than simply a series of races, and considerable thought was given to activities and attractions that would appeal to both motoring enthusiasts and families. Another big off-track attraction is the club area, where in excess of 10,000 classic motor cars from 120 different clubs will be represented covering cars from A-Z for the public to view.
This year, the Silverstone Classic will play host to the Golden Jubilee of Chevron, but with the earliest race car dating from 1923 (Bentley) to 2006 (F1 Super Aguri) spread across 20 races, there is bound to be something for everyone. Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the fabulous RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will delight the crowds too. This anniversary will be supported by two special Trophy races for British sports, touring and GT cars, appropriately entitled the “Battle of Britain.”
More than 40 additional key motoring milestones are being celebrated with special track parades on Friday and Saturday. Models with special birthdays include: Aston Martin DB6; Bentley S1; BMW 3-Series; Borgward Isabella; Honda NSX; MGB GT; Range Rover; Toyota MR2; Mazda MX5; Nissan Skyline; Triumph TR3, TR4A and TR7 plus the Sinclair C5.
The huge 40m giant wheel on the Jet Village Green provides panoramic views over Silverstone, for FREE. For those who remember the days, Status Quo, with more than 60 UK chart hits to their name, will be topping the bill on Saturday evening, the group having amassed more top selling singles than any other rock group.
The Shopping Village, consisting of more than 150 outlets, offers retail therapy for all ages including: motoring memorabilia, vintage clothing and accessories, toys and models, motoring books and literature, restoration services, art and photography, cars and car parts, antiques, autojumble and much more. Silverstone Auctions estimates £2.55m worth of important race cars will be going under the hammer on Thursday evening with sales totalling around £6.4m being generated from its classic car sales on both Saturday and Sunday.
There is no doubting the fact, this is one motor racing festival you want to get to, but remember, tickets are sold in advance only. Gates will open at 07:30 on all three days, and close at 23:30 on both Friday and Saturday nights, but on Sunday the event closes at 18:30.
See you there…!!
Written by: Glen Smale
It is important that the classic car movement gets maximum publicity, because ownership of such vehicles is under political threat in this increasingly urbanised world.